Sew Simple! Finding Fabrics
Saturday, June 25, 2011
...a weekly feature providing answers to your sewing questions!
Suzy thought it might be fun to have owner and instructor of
Create!® Sewing Studio, Becca, share tips and tricks about sewing with you! Let us know what you think!
Q: How do I navigate through a fabric store? Do you have any recommendations where to buy fabrics and other sewing necessities? Do you shop online?
A: Fabric Stores: When you enter a fabric store for the first time, it can be overwhelming. There are so many different types of fabric plus rows of notions, tools, patterns and pattern books. Where do you start? I start by wandering around to get acclimated. For a beginner, much of what you see will not be appropriate for your project, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look at and feel the fabrics. Half the fun is just wandering around and touching all the wonderful fabrics!
Don’t feel shy about tracking a salesperson down to ask where the type of fabric is that you want. Fabric stores are usually organized by fabric type, plus areas for notions, etc. See which colors and fabrics appeal to you. The other aspect of choice is the “hand” or feel of the fabric.
Whether you look at fabric first or pattern books first, eventually you need to make some choices and then make your way to the cutting area. Have your pattern with you to make sure you get the right amount of fabric. Once your fabric is cut, a trip to the notions area is your next stop. Then to the cash register and you are on your way to start your sewing project!
Fabric Stores: There are far fewer brick & mortar stores today than there once were, but there are still many places to buy fabric and supplies. For a list of local stores, see my blog
For online fabric stores, the best list I’ve found is from Threads Magazine’s.
Happy fabric shopping and happy sewing!
Sewing Classes are being held all summer long (group & private available for Adults, Teens & Children)
Create!® Sewing Studio
70 Seminole Road
Acton, MA 01720
(508) 320-5475
Got a Sewing Question? email
Suzy thought it might be fun to have owner and instructor of
Create!® Sewing Studio, Becca, share tips and tricks about sewing with you! Let us know what you think!
Q: How do I navigate through a fabric store? Do you have any recommendations where to buy fabrics and other sewing necessities? Do you shop online?
A: Fabric Stores: When you enter a fabric store for the first time, it can be overwhelming. There are so many different types of fabric plus rows of notions, tools, patterns and pattern books. Where do you start? I start by wandering around to get acclimated. For a beginner, much of what you see will not be appropriate for your project, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look at and feel the fabrics. Half the fun is just wandering around and touching all the wonderful fabrics!
Don’t feel shy about tracking a salesperson down to ask where the type of fabric is that you want. Fabric stores are usually organized by fabric type, plus areas for notions, etc. See which colors and fabrics appeal to you. The other aspect of choice is the “hand” or feel of the fabric.
Whether you look at fabric first or pattern books first, eventually you need to make some choices and then make your way to the cutting area. Have your pattern with you to make sure you get the right amount of fabric. Once your fabric is cut, a trip to the notions area is your next stop. Then to the cash register and you are on your way to start your sewing project!
Fabric Stores: There are far fewer brick & mortar stores today than there once were, but there are still many places to buy fabric and supplies. For a list of local stores, see my blog
For online fabric stores, the best list I’ve found is from Threads Magazine’s.
Happy fabric shopping and happy sewing!
Sewing Classes are being held all summer long (group & private available for Adults, Teens & Children)
Create!® Sewing Studio
70 Seminole Road
Acton, MA 01720
(508) 320-5475
Got a Sewing Question? email
